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Monthly Archives: September 2018

In the beginning of this year long IV run, due to insurance or the lack of sufficient insurance-I was told that it would be 30.00 a day to receive my medication and supplies at home/whereas insurance would cover supplies as an outpatient at the local hospital. So, I began driving to town daily, spending 30 minutes or more being checked in and awaiting the IV nurse & medication, then the hour for the drug to run. I sometimes was shivering by the time the hour was up-especially in ER, in spite of having 3 blankets and a hoodie on with the hood over my head.
After about a week, I called infusion partners again, talked to them, and after consulting with her manager the lady said 15.00 day would be the best they could do. I asked that they let me try the hospital route and think on it.
Well come to find out, yes insurance will pay, but I have 20% balance to cover. The hospital charges from 500-over 700 a day to administer the meds. I didn’t think the 20% I had left to pay was manageable to me over the long haul, not to mention the inconvenience, the cold, the germs and the wear on tear on me and my vehicle.
So yesterday, I called IV infusion and as we discussed exactly what I needed she came up with a quote that was less than 7 a day–delivered the same day if needed. Oh yes ma’am! Elated I called the hospital, praising God for answered prayers; yet I didn’t feel that I could fully rejoice until I heard news from our pastor who was under going some kidney function tests. Being an insulin dependent diabetic, his kidney function was troubling the doctor. He had various test run and was to hear from them last Friday-but didn’t even though the results were on the doctor’s desk. I text him to find out and after about an hour or so he sent out a mass text saying that his numbers were better -a change of meds and other diet changes were in order and then I could truly rejoice.
Thank you, God-as always you are on time, on point and so good to us all. I often fail to rest in that truth.

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The first weekend of my daily IV’s was spent with 2 of the sweetest RN’s one could imagine. Both have been through the FM, so remember me and my bread, both are friendly and go out of their way to help. I do worry about exposure to whatever might be in the ER from other patients but have made me up a little bag with a mask, some hand sanitizer, and after this weekend a pullover ski cap for my head. More on that later-

The weekend of our trip we went to the Gulf Coast, spending our 3 nights at the Hollywood because Terry had 3 consecutive free nights that did not exclude weekends. We did our Outlet mall shopping, rode up to the tractor place to order a part, med Diane at Sharkhead’s and then ate dinner at Shaggy’s. Saturday we plundered around in Gulfport, meeting up with Diane at the Ocean Adventure place which, before Katrina, was on the water at Gulfport and called Marine life. I spent a lot of time resting and sleeping.

The 2nd weekend again was spent with my 2 nice RN’s, one whose name is Stacy and the other one I’ve not learned her name.

The 3rd weekend could be classified in way the weekend from hell. Sheila is a sharp, hurry up get’er’done type with no compassion whatsoever. If I have a stitch left in my arm it will surprise me. Terry, I’ve known for years and she is somewhat better-but Saturday and Sunday both were spent freezing my tail off even with 2 blankets and my hoodie pulled over my head. On Sunday I had to unplug my IV and go tell them I was done because they were laughing and carrying on so they couldn’t hear the machine beeping.

Today, Labor Day I be-bopped down there and go through the front entrance only to find the business office closed. I head on down to the ER, to find a newbie at registration. When I give her my name and why I’m there she is totally confused, stating she doesn’t have a clue what to do. She consults her manual while I make a bathroom run, then calls the regular girl and talks with her a while. She pecks around on the computer, then calls one of the RN’s-Linda ( a lovely, precious lady) and then Terry comes around and finally, after 30 minutes the 3 of them get me checked in. My little CNA in the ER, LD, brought me 3 warm blankets and I napped the whole time my drip was running. One thing I can say is that once I get checked in it isn’t long before they have me hooked up and running.

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Well the PIC line was in place on August 8 and I had my first run of meds. Other than soreness and some pain, all was well. I did my FM as usual on Thursday, taking Ana with me to help unload and load back up. I made contact with my nurse concerning the regular admin of meds. Due to my insurance or lack there-of, I would have to go to the hospital daily to take my hour of medication. I fought against this, called the infusion people, argued over how 3.00 a day for supplies, which I paid in ’17, had gone to 30.00 a day all to no avail. I did pay the 30.00 a day for meds to cover me for the 16,17 & 18 of August since we had a trip planned.
I made my first trip to Walthall General for meds on August 10, at 8AM. After 30 minutes of checking in, I was directed to the Out Patient area where I rang a bell a waited for someone to let me in. A rather short, large lady was my CNA. Her name was Mary & I knew her from back in the nursery day. Stephanie was my RN. I didn’t know her well, but her sister had been the bus driver for the girls all the school lives. Stephanie is good at what she does, a bit sharp in speech, but she has a good heart. And so we settled into a routine-during the week I went into out-patient; on weekends I went through the ER, but still as out-patient.
Other than sometimes waiting an extra long time to be checked in, the 5 days of the week have gone smoothly. The ladies are getting used to seeing me, they know what to do, they know about what time I’m coming–we have moved my time to around 1-2 PM for my convenience–and they have as much ready for me as possible.
I take a book a read and enjoy that past time I don’t usually get to indulge in or simply take a nap. Other than losing 2 1/2 to 3 hours a daily from leaving home to returning-it isn’t so bad.